Our
story begins with Ozzie. He was born Oswald George
Nelson on March 20, 1906 in Jersey City, New
Jersey. After graduating high school, Oz went to
law school. On the sly, he put together a dance
band, which beat the odds and became very
successful. Ozzie left law school and concentrated
on music and entertaining. He played hotels and
ballrooms up and down the east coast.

In 1932
Ozzie met Peggy Lou Snyder of Des Moines, Iowa.
Peggy was playing on a New York vaudeville stage
when Ozzie spotted the beautiful 23-year-old showgirl
and offered her a singing gig in his band. Changing
her name to the more lyrical, Harriet Hilliard, she
was the perfect counterpoint to Ozzie’s mellow,
stumbling personality. Their blended personalities
were the grounds spontaneous comedy relief in
between songs that clicked with audiences. They
married in 1935.

Contrary to what you
may have heard, the TV series, "The
Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” wasn't
filmed at the Nelson's real home. Ozzie
patterned the exterior of the Nelson's fictional
TV home after their real home.

Soon their
popularity extended into radio as they became
regulars on the Red Skelton Show as well as being
popular guests on other shows of the late 30’s. In
the 1940’s, their spark lit up the silver screen in
musicals such as “Sweetheart of the Campus”
(1941), “Strictly in the Groove” (1942), “Honeymoon
Lodge” (1943) and “Take
It Big” (1944).

In 1936,
David Nelson was born and Ozzie was determined to
maintain a strong family unit by integrating their
two careers as one and seldom working apart. In
1940, Ricky was born. Ozzie and Harriet were billed
as “America’s Favorite Young Couple.” In 1944
"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” debuted
on radio with two young actors playing their sons.

When
the series went to TV in 1952, their real life sons,
David, 16, and Ricky, age 12, were cast as
themselves. To introduce the family to America,
Ozzie and his brother Don, wrote,
“Here Come the Nelsons” and got Universal to
make the feature film. After about a decade of
Ozzie being portrayed as a bandleader, the feature
film has Ozzie Nelson as an advertising agency
executive. Because this is the same “Ozzie Nelson”
on the TV series, you’re welcome to believe this was
Ozzie’s ever-mysterious occupation, but I won’t
confirm.

In “Here
Come the Nelsons” Ozzie tries to get some
publicity for an underwear company, David and Ricky
get mixed up with Rock Hudson and gangsters; Sheldon
Leonard and Jim Backus. The low budget flick was a
financial success, and the critics, well they didn’t
hate it…

Although
Ozzie's dad character came off stammering, hesitant
and slightly absent-minded, which meshed perfectly
with Harriet's smart, wisecracking appeal, Ozzie was
anything but fumbling offstage. A dynamic
businessman and workaholic, he supervised his show
completely as writer, producer, director, and
editor. His brother Donald was also on the payroll
as a writer. "The Adventures of Ozzie and
Harriet” never made it into the top 20 Neilson
ratings. ABC, was the number three network and had
plenty of shows doing worse than “Ozzie and
Harriet,” so with Ozzie offering the series at a
discount price, it remained on Friday nights thru
1956. In 1957 a move to Wednesday night didn’t seem
to help, as CBS’s “The Millionaire” won the
time slot. Then something happened, 17 year old
Ricky sang.

In 1958, "The Donna
Reed Show" joined the ABC line-up both shows
were cancelled in 1966.

Elvis was
already rocketing to stardom, but the gyrating kid
from Kentucky was seen as a threat to parents, Ricky
was safe. Ricky’s cover of the Fats Domino hit,
“I’m Walkin’” was just what radio stations that
didn’t play “negro music” were looking for. In June
of ‘57, Ricky’s version of the song, written by Fats
Domino, was #17 on the Billboard Charts. Ricky
followed “I’m Walkin’” with “Be-bop Baby.”
The tune, written by Pearl Lendhurst, sounded like a
less erotic version of Gene Vincent’s big hit,
“Be-Bop-A-Lula.”“Be-bop Baby.” peaked
at #5 in the fall of ‘57.

Ricky’s
success was just beginning and his every song, every
move was carefully planned by Ozzie. In August of
1958, Ricky’s recording, “Poor Little Fool”
reached #1 on the Billboard charts. Ozzie thought
it was important to project the family image the
Nelsons had been known for.

In 1959
Ricky became a singing movie star, appearing with
John Wayne and Dean Martin in the western with
romance,
“Rio Bravo.” The trailer featured Ricky
playing his guitar. He then turns to the camera and
talks about the exciting film. After some scenes are
shown, they cut back to Nelson who lists the cast
members. When he does not mention his own name, we
hear the voice of Dean Martin say off camera "What
about Rick Nelson"?. His big screen debut was a
hit, and the following year he teamed up with Jack
Lemmon to play Ens. Tommy J. Hanson in
“The Wackiest Ship in the Army.”

On May 20,
1961, David married June Blair at Forest Lawn
Cemetery's Church of the Hills. Brother Ricky Nelson
was the best man. June not only joined the family,
but also the family business and was written into
the show. The TV David Nelson was going to law
school and moved out of the house, into an apartment
with his young bride.

In 1963
Ricky was seeing Kristin Harmon, the pretty daughter
of Tom Harmon, a Heisman Trophy winning football
player, and then an actor. When it was learned that
Kristin was pregnant with Ricky’s child there was
only one thing that could happen, Ozzie had them
married, immediately, but not quite immediately
enough.

Eric
Hilliard Nelson and Sharon Kristin Harmon were
married on April 20, 1963. In October, Kristin gave
birth to Tracy Kristine Nelson, six months to the
day of their marriage. Ozzie insisted the baby was
born premature, had that “fact” added to the
hospital records, and had the healthy normal baby
put in an incubator.

With eyes
rolling, reporters were feed the premature baby
story, and it’s the story most of America heard.

Ricky
continued to introduce new songs on "The
Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” but Ozzie
believed in leaving them wanting more and not every
episode had a musical number. The plots would call
for Ricky to sing at a party or special occasion.
By 1965 Ricky’s record sales were slipping. His
wholesome image might have been holding him back,
the country was changing, and “Ozzie and Harriet”
were out of step with the times. While the real
world protested the war in Vietnam, Harriet was
still making sandwiches for a keg-less frat party
that she and Oz would chaperon.

In 1966,
after 22 years (eight on radio, four-teen on TV) the
fictional "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”
came to an end. Until 2003, Ozzie and Harriet held
the record for longest running sit-com. The record
was broken by “The Simpsons,” but it would
take a few more years for “The Simpsons” to
catch up to Ozzie’s record of 435 episodes.

Ozzie by:
Ozzie Nelson
1973 [Ozzie's book
is long out of print, but amazon.com will help
you find a copy. Be sure to check eBay
too.]

David Nelson
followed in Dad’s footsteps and went on to be a
producer and director. Ozzie and Harriet attempted
another series entitled "Ozzie's Girls" in
the early 70s, which was syndicated to local
stations, but it lasted a mere season.

Ricky (now
preferred being called “Rick”) Nelson appeared at
The Rock Revival at Madison Square Garden in
1971. Unaware that he was to appear in
clothing from the era of the height of his
popularity, he appeared in contemporary clothing and
was booed because of this. Afterwards, and as a
result of this, he wrote the hit song, "Garden
Party".

Ozzie died
in Laguna Beach, California of liver cancer in 1975
at age 69. Harriet became somewhat reclusive but
would make guest appearances on shows like “Love
Boat,”“Fantasy Island,” and “Happy
Days.”

Now divorced
from Kristin, Rick died in a private plane crash on
New Year's Eve, 1985. It was long speculated
that the fire that caused the crash was the result
of drug use, either by Nelson himself or by one of
his crew. This theory has since been discredited by,
among other sources, the Civil Aeronautics Board in
their official report on the crash. Their evidence
shows that the cause originally given for the crash
(an on-board heater short-circuiting and catching
fire) is the correct one. Rick was inducted to the
Rock and Roll Hall Fame in 1987.

Harriet was
the doting grandmother of actress Tracy Nelson, and
twin rockers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, who were
simply called "Nelson," when Rick died. It’s said
that she never recovered from the shock of the
news. Harriet was a heavy smoker most her life,
although she never smoked in public feeling the
image was not befitting of her "perfect mom" image.
She died of emphysema and congestive heart failure
in 1994.

David
divorced June, and in 1975 married Yvonne O Connor
Huston. His daughter, Teri Nelson, was married to
Chuck Woolery. David’s had success in both directing
and producing. In 2002 a ticket agent at John Wayne
Airport stopped David after the letters in the name
"David Nelson" were red flagged for terrorists. Two
police officers recognized Nelson and allowed him to
board his flight.

The Best Of The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet
[DVD]
Endorsed by the Nelson Family, this collection
features 24 of the greatest "The Adventures of Ozzie
and Harriet" episodes--including "The Fall Guy,"
"Ricky the Drummer," "The Circus," "The Newlyweds
Get Settled," and "The Game Room"--in a four-disc
set. 9 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack:
English; audio commentary by David Nelson, others;
home movies; "making of" documentary; radio show
episodes; trivia.

The
Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 1 [VHS] VHS
First, Harriet tells a story of how Ozzie once sent
her a rose every day when he was on a business
trip--though Ozzie doesn't remember sending the
flowers--in "A Rose a Day." Then, the Dean gets
Ricky and his pals to set a school record for
staying in bed in "A Bedtime Story." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 2 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie and Harriet discover that David has been
neglecting his car payments in the appropriately
titled "Dave's Car Payments." Then, Ozzie must get
Ricky's girlfriend over to the house for a surprise
party without her spoiling the secret in "Ozzie
Keeps a Secret." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 3 [VHS] VHS
June wants to buy a lamp, but David doesn't think
they can afford it, in "Lamp for Dave and June";
then, Harriet is upset that Ozzie always forgets to
tell her about his day in "No News for Harriet." 60
min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 4 [VHS] VHS
Harriet and Clara want their men to enter a "Why I
Love My Wife" essay contest in "A Letter About
Harriet," followed by Dave and Ricky investigating a
suspicious law client whose identity they need to
verify in "The Petition." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 5 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie, after claiming that women are more curious
than men, is challenged by the gals to keep his
mitts off of the mysterious "Little Black Box."
Next, after getting a new sidewalk, Ozzie and
Harriet look for a place to store the cement block
with the boys' handprints in "Little Handprints in
the Sidewalk." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 6 [VHS] VHS
The Nelsons babysit a neighborhood boy while the
tyke's mom is at the hospital giving birth in "The
Little House Guest." Then, Dave hits a hole-in-one,
prompting Wally to write a newspaper article in
which he takes credit for the feat, in "Dave's Golf
Story." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 7 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie builds a "Suggestion Box" so that the family
can air out their problems with each other, but
things get out of hand. And Dave's attempt to land a
job as "The Law Clerk" on his own merits hits a snag
when he learns that everyone is out to help him. 60
min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 8 [VHS] VHS
Dave and Ricky attempt to make money by taking paper
routes, but Ozzie soon takes on the job and makes a
mess of things in "Boy's Paper Route." Then, the
neighbor's "Barking Dog" keeps Ozzie awake on the
eve of his big fishing trip. 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 9 [VHS] VHS
Ricky's girlfriend gets suspicious when he starts
hanging around with a new female student in "The
Girl That Loses Things." Next, after Joe gives him
an ugly table, Ozzie returns the favor by giving his
friend an equally hideous painting in "The Table and
the Painting." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 10 [VHS] VHS
When Ozzie helps Clara pick out a fishing pole for
husband Joe's birthday, Joe suspects that Ozzie is
running around with her in "Jealous Joe Randolph."
Next, Dave and Ricky do some menial tasks for a
private investigator while their parents worry about
their safety in "Manly Arts." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 11 [VHS] VHS
Dave's boss wants him to deliver some important
papers, but he isn't home, so Ozzie and Harriet
deliver them instead in "Kelly's Important Papers."
Plus, Dave invites June's old boyfriend to dinner,
then gets stuck at the office with his beautiful new
secretary in "Old Friend of June's." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 12 [VHS] VHS
The girls' sorority vows not have anything to do
with Dave and Ricky's fraternity until its members
start dressing better in "A Question of Suits and
Ties." Next, June tries to get Dave to take a
Hawaiian vacation, and Ozzie offers his own brand of
advice in "The Trip Trap." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 13 [VHS] VHS
Dave promises to call June from work but gets too
busy to phone her in "Dave Goes Back to Work." Then,
Ozzie pretends to go fishing so that he doesn't have
to play cards with Joe and Clara in "The Prowler."
60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 27 [VHS] VHS
Ricky wants a baking company to honor its money-back
guarantee in ``The Pancake Mix.'' In ``The New
Chairs'' a mix-up results in the Nelsons getting
dozens of chairs from the department store. 55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 28 [VHS] VHS
In ``The Pajama Game,'' Ozzie and neighbor Thorny
wind up locked out of the house in their pajamas.
Then Ozzie's plan to clean out the garage snowballs
into a neighborhood mess in ``Ball of Tin Foil.'' 55
min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 29 [VHS] VHS
A sudden urge for ``Tutti-Fruiti Ice Cream'' sends
Ozzie on a madcap search throughout the town. Next,
it's Ozzie's old jalopy against Ricky's hot-rod in
"Road Race." 55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 30 [VHS] VHS
There are chills and thrills at ``The Circus,'' with
David and Ricky performing on the high wire. Next,
Ricky's involved in college frat hi-jinks in ``The
Blue Moose.'' 55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 31 [VHS] VHS
``The Big Dog'' is what Ricky buys wife Kris for her
birthday, but she doesn't want it. Next, Ricky gets
into hot water at the office thanks to ``The Desk
Photo.'' 55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 32 [VHS] VHS
Ricky and his friend Wally spend their Christmas
money vying for the romantic attentions of ``The
Girl at the Emporium.'' Next, ``David Picks up the
Tab'' for his parents' dinner, but comes up short.
55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 33 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie has a restless night after eating two huge
triple banana sundaes in "Ozzie's Triple Banana
Surprise." Next, Rick borrows David's car, only to
get into a fender bender with a beautiful girl, in
"Rick Gets Even," guest starring Tuesday Weld. 60
min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 34 [VHS] VHS
In "Ozzie and the Space Age," Ozzie tries to take a
picture of a real flying saucer to win $1,000 from a
local theater. Next, Ozzie lectures Rick about the
importance of punctuality--although he can't seem to
get anywhere on time himself--in "Be on Time." 60
min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 35 [VHS] VHS
In "The Odd Bolt," Ozzie drives himself and the
family mad while trying to find out where a found
bolt came from. Frank Cady ("Petticoat Junction")
guests. Next, Ozzie's stories make Thorny nervous
about his son joining a guy's club in "The
Initiation." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 36 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie questions if Rick has any real friends
after he lends a pal $100 in "A Friend in Need."
Then, "Rick Counts the Ballots" for the Prom Queen
contest, but has a problem keeping the results a
secret. 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 37 [VHS] VHS
First, Rick's girlfriend mistakes the autographed
picture meant for his grandmother as a gift for her
in "Rick Sends a Picture." Then, a teenage girl in
Dave's apartment building has a crush on him in
"David and the Teenager." 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 38 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie decides to perform a mind-reading act at the
women's club dance in "The Swami." Then, June
becomes David's secretary while his regular one is
on vacation in "A Wife in the Office." 50 min.

The
Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 39 [VHS] VHS
There's big trouble when Dave falls for Rick's new
girlfriend in "His Brother's Girl." Then, Ozzie
helps Dave when he gets his briefcase mixed up with
someone else's in "The Lost Briefcase." 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 40 [VHS] VHS
Rick goes to Dave for help when the lease on his
frat house expires in "Dave and the Fraternity
Lease." Then, Ozzie and Joe are joined on a fishing
trip by two models doing layouts for a magazine in
"Ozzie, Joe and the Fashion Models." 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 41 [VHS] VHS
While "Selling Rick's Drums," David hopes to be
the first to meet a girl whom both the boys like.
Next, Joe and Ozzie fool the girls into thinking
that they have "E.S.P." 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 42 [VHS] VHS
In "Rover Boys," an argument between Ozzie and
Thorny leads to a lesson in Ancient Greek history.
Then, Joe gives Ozzie a "Built-In TV Set" that comes
with plenty of trouble. With Alvy Moore. 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 43 [VHS] VHS
First, David, Rick and Wally race to procure "A
Piano for the Fraternity" while planning a Christmas
party. Then, Rick and Dave work at "The Christmas
Tree Lot" to earn enough money for Ozzie's present.
50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 44 [VHS] VHS
In "The Motorcycle," the Nelsons try to squash
David's need for speed. Next, Ozzie, Harriet and
Darby try to get one of their single friends hitched
in "The Bachelor." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 46 [VHS] VHS
David takes a fearful June on her first camping trip
in "June and the Great Outdoors." Then, there's
trouble aplenty when "The Puppy" the boys gave
Harriet runs away. 55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 47 [VHS] VHS
In "A Matter of Inches," David is promised $50 if he
grows to the same height as Ozzie. Next, "Rick's
Riding Lessons" are given by a beautiful girl after
he helps her learn how to play guitar. 55 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 48 [VHS] VHS
David, Rick, and Wally plan a "Father's Night at the
Fraternity" so they can hit up their patriarchs for
some much needed cash. Then, Ozzie and Harriet think
David is getting married when his girlfriend invites
them to dinner with "David's Almost In-Laws." 55
min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 49 [VHS] VHS
First, "Dave Hires a Secretary" while his boss's
assistant is on vacation. With Joe Flynn. Then,
Ozzie uses Rick's tape recorder to give a
"Treasurer's Report" at the men's club. 50 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 53 [VHS] VHS
Ozzie and his friends become waiters at the women's
club banquet in "The Magic of Three." Next, David
and Rick plan revenge on Wally after a practical
joke in "The Exploding Book." 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 54 [VHS] VHS
Rick's girlfriend decides to knit him a present in
"A Sweater for Rick." Next, "Ricky the Milkman"
meets a beautiful girl while making deliveries for a
friend. With Susan Oliver. 60 min.

The Best Of Ozzie And Harriet, Vol. 55 [VHS] VHS
Fed up with Joe not returning his lawnmower, Ozzie
recruits the aid of Rick and a hacksaw to get it
back in "A Lawnmower for Ozzie." Then it's "A
Special Cake" for Rick on the first anniversary of
his proposal to June--unless he spends the night
playing poker with the guys. 60 min.

The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet [DVD] DVD
Ozzie and Harriet discover that David has been
neglecting his car payments in the appropriately
titled "David's Car Payments"; then, Ozzie
unknowingly uses the neighborhood kids' rare coin
collection for a night of poker in "The Pennies";
next, Ozzie and Harriet become the "Lonesome
Parents" when it looks as if David and June are
avoiding them; and finally, "The Tigers Go to the
Dance" thanks to Ozzie who persuades his baseball
team to attend an event sponsored by Harriet's
women's club. 110 min. Standard; Soundtrack:
English.

Vintage Christmas Classics [DVD] DVD
Celebrate the holidays with some of your all-time
favorite TV families, thanks to this collection that
features two Christmas shows each from "The
Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and "The Beverly
Hillbillies"; Christmas- and New Year's-themed
episodes of "The Jack Benny Show"; and the touching
"Freddie and the Yuletide Doll" sketch from "The Red
Skelton Show." 216 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack:
English. Plays All Regions.

People Are Funny [VHS](1946) VHS
Based on the popular radio (and later, TV) show,
this music-filled comedy follows the rivalry between
two radio producers to please a sponsor. Jack Haley,
Philip Reed, Helen Walker, Rudy Vallee, Ozzie Nelson
star, with host Art Linkletter as himself. 94 min.

Here Come The Nelsons [VHS](1952) VHS
In between the radio and TV versions of their
long-running sitcom, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, plus
sons David and Ricky, hit the big screen with this
lively tale. Advertising man Ozzie (yes, folks, he
really had a job) must cope with trying to develop a
women's wear company's campaign while the town's
centennial celebration has him and Harriet fighting
over rival houseguests...and hers is Rock Hudson!
Barbara Lawrence, Jim Backus also star. 76 min.